Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly believes that the so-called National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir will resign from the government if a ceasefire or prisoner-exchange deal is reached with Hamas, according to The Times of Israel.
The report highlights Netanyahu’s ongoing efforts to prevent a collapse of his ruling coalition, which is increasingly fractured over negotiations to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli captives. Netanyahu has been holding a series of meetings aimed at neutralizing threats from his far-right partners who oppose any form of deal, as well as from ultra-Orthodox factions resisting proposed conscription laws.
Ben Gvir, a hardline extremist figure in the Israeli occupation government, has consistently opposed any agreement with Hamas—even a temporary truce—despite nearly 650 days of war that have devastated Gaza. He remains firmly against a deal that would see the return of Israeli hostages at the cost of halting military operations.
🚨 JUST IN: Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have been summoned by Netanyahu over a possible prisoner exchange deal.
Even Israel’s most extreme ministers are being pulled into talks.
Pressure works. Resistance works#Israel #CeasefireNow pic.twitter.com/i2v2JeD46R
— Noor 🇵🇸 (@NoorsalamK44715) July 12, 2025
According to the report, Ben Gvir has been trying to rally support from fellow far-right ally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, urging him to form a joint front within the cabinet to block any such agreement. Both Zionist ministers have threatened to bring down the government if a deal is approved that allows Hamas to remain in control in Gaza, claiming they have already succeeded in blocking similar proposals in the past.
Together, Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit and Smotrich’s Religious Zionism parties control 13 seats in the Israeli enemy’s 120-member Knesset, while Netanyahu’s coalition currently holds a narrow majority of 67 seats.
Should Otzma Yehudit withdraw from the coalition, Netanyahu would retain a fragile majority. But if Religious Zionism follows suit, he would be forced to govern with a minority government—a scenario that could significantly destabilize his leadership.
Source: Al-Manar Website
